V. Bhalan, Chairman, Anglo French Textiles, on Tuesday said that the management had formally accepted the request for Voluntary Retirement Scheme from 283 workers and 50 per cent of financial package would be settled immediately after resuming the mill on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters here in connection with the run-up to the last-stage preparation of reopening the mill, which remained closed since December 30, 2011 except for a brief period, he said the remaining package and gratuity would be settled within June.
Similarly, gratuity to the tune of Rs. 1 crore would be given to 29 workers, who retired in 2011 on Wednesday.
Stating that the Puducherry government had sanctioned grant in aid to the tune Rs. 4.5 crore, he said the AFT mill had received order from the government to produce school uniform cloths for all beneficiaries. It was likely to fetch Rs. 9.5 crore. It would enable the mill to meet its financial obligation in the initial period.
To a question, Mr. Bhalan said that he was optimistic about the full operation of the mill. While stressing the need for clearance to sell Pattanur land to generate sufficient fund for sustainable running of AFT mill, he said that the Puducherry government, based on Cabinet decision, sent an official letter seeking permission for selling 56 acres of land owned by it at Pattanur.
Though it was stated that the Central government had agreed to give a clearance, it had not received any communication. Moreover, there was no action on a proposal seeking Rs. 500 crore from the Centre for the complete rehabilitation of the mill.
e-tenderHe added that it had been decided to sell outdated and old machineries at the dangerous zone through e-tender in order to settle gratuity and other financial commitments of about 500 workers, who had retired from service in recent years.
It might fetch between Rs. 7 to Rs. 10 crore.
A seven-member committee, which was represented by workers, had been formed to oversee the e-tendering process.
